Research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself. Covers antiviral trials, antibody neutralization, viral escape, and rapid detection methods.
Researchers investigated Omicron's impact on children's upper airway infections and found a significant increase. The study suggests that as Omicron became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, cases of upper airway infection among children rose sharply.
A study of 48,000 individuals found that third-dose vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with mRNA vaccines was associated with increased reporting of low-severity adverse events. However, there was no significant increase in the reporting of severe adverse events.
A study of 263,000 fully vaccinated Veterans Affairs patients found an association between psychiatric disorder diagnoses and increased incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections. The findings suggest that individuals with pre-existing psychiatric conditions may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Researchers found that vaccination greatly reduces the infectious viral load caused by COVID-19 variants Delta and Omicron. However, boosted individuals showed a significant reduction in viral load compared to unvaccinated people. The study highlights the importance of updated knowledge for combating new variants.
Researchers developed a solid-state photocatalyst using TiO2 and CuO nanoclusters to inactivate various variants of SARS-CoV-2. The material is effective under both darkness and indoor light, making it suitable for reducing COVID-19 infection risk in indoor environments.
A new model shows combining face masks, distancing, and increased ventilation can reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection risk by more than 98% in most cases. The study found that layered controls are highly effective in curb exposure to COVID-19.
Researchers have developed a rapid COVID-19 test that uses molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles to detect SARS-CoV-2. The new test is more sensitive and works under extreme conditions than existing antibody-based tests, with preliminary results indicating it can detect a 6,000-times lower amount of the virus.
Researchers characterized viral protein binding to sialic acids on animal and human coronaviruses, revealing host-specific patterns. This adaptation enables coronaviruses to quickly jump species, driving cross-species transmission.
A recent study found that COVID-19 spreads extensively in households, with approximately 50% of household members infected from the first-infected individual. Children were less likely to spread the virus but equally likely to become infected as adults, highlighting their potential role in transmission.
A new peptide-based vaccine, CoVac-1, has been shown to induce a T cell-dependent response in 93% of patients with B-cell deficiencies, including those with leukemia and lymphoma. The vaccine's T cell immunity exceeds that of individuals without immune deficiency or those who have received standard COVID-19 vaccines.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study found that COVID-19-induced loss of smell is linked to inflammation-caused nerve damage, weakening odor signals to the brain. The researchers discovered more severe vascular injury and fewer axons in the olfactory bulb of patients with diminished or complete loss of smell.
Researchers from Goethe University and University of Kent found aprotinin effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron, by preventing virus entry into host cells. A recent phase III clinical study demonstrated the treatment reduced hospital stays by five days.
Researchers studied the sensitivity of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 to nine monoclonal antibodies, finding reduced neutralization activity against newer variants. The study suggests that treatments may be less clinically effective against Omicron infection than against Delta variant.
Heart complications from COVID-19 are rare but treatable in children and young adults. The American Heart Association statement highlights the importance of ongoing research to understand long-term cardiovascular effects.
A new study found that older children (6–12 years, 13–17 years) and those with high inflammation markers were at highest risk of severe MIS-C. Gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiac involvement were common in affected children.
A recent study published in mBio discovered that the SARS-CoV-2 viral gene ORF8 plays a crucial role in the severity and spread of COVID-19. Researchers found that mutations in ORF8 contribute to inflammation and disease outcomes, suggesting new treatment options for patients with severe cases.
A recent study published in ACS Omega analyzed protein levels in semen of men who recovered from COVID-19 and found significant reductions in sperm count, motility, and normally shaped sperm. The researchers also detected changes in fertility-related proteins such as semenogelin 1 and prosaposin.
The UGA team developed a rapid test for COVID-19 with high sensitivity and specificity, detecting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. The test has a detection time of less than 10 minutes and can detect all COVID-19 variants.
A study led by Boston Children's Hospital researchers found that COVID-19 causes severe inflammation through infected immune cells. Antibodies developed during infection may sometimes contribute to inflammation.
A digital training program improved movement behavior, physical activity, and mental well-being in participants, while also reducing anxiety levels. The study, conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt, found that the program was particularly effective when used with professional trainers and regular questionnaires.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that COVID-19 vaccination still expands T-cell memory and immune activation in individuals who have already experienced the virus, even if they were infected first. Vaccination also helps protect against new strains of the virus.
A new animal study has identified a pain-associated gene expression signature in COVID-19 patients that remains even after the virus clears. The findings, which could lead to new pain treatments for long COVID patients, were published in Experimental Biology.
A new study by Princeton University researchers reveals that macrophages, a type of immune cell, are crucial in the early immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The study used humanized mice with human lung tissue and blood stem cells to investigate the role of macrophages and identified specific genes associated with an effective antiviral re...
A global team of scientists developed a collaborative approach to track SARS-CoV-2 variants, enabling faster vaccine development and improved public health responses. The SAVE program, comprising over 130 researchers from 58 institutions, utilized advanced tools and data analysis to predict variant risks.
Researchers found severe brain inflammation and injury in COVID-19 patients, with neuron damage and death also present. The study suggests that nonhuman primates can serve as a proxy for understanding human neurological consequences of COVID-19.
A new study suggests that children under 5 infected with Omicron have a lower risk of severe health outcomes compared to those infected with the Delta variant. The study found that Omicron is 6-8 times more infectious than Delta, but resulted in fewer hospitalizations and mechanical ventilation cases.
A study of 650,000 children found SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infections were 6-8 times more common than Delta in this age group. Severe clinical outcomes were less frequent with Omicron compared to Delta variant.
A preclinical study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause ferroptosis in pacemaker cells, leading to cardiac arrhythmias. Researchers used animal models and human stem cell-derived pacemaker cells to demonstrate the virus's impact on these cells.
The SAVE program, a NIH initiative, provides real-time risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 variants on immune protection. It uses a coordinated approach to identify and curate data about these variants, their impact on immunity, and their effects on vaccine protection.
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago are studying long COVID-19 in adults, focusing on vulnerable communities in urban and rural areas. They aim to understand factors that make individuals vulnerable and protective against long-term effects.
Deer in Germany and Austria tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, a stark contrast to white-tailed deer in North America. The research suggests that human-deer contact and pathogen spread may be hindered by managed hunting practices in Europe.
Achieving classical herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 may be unlikely due to virus mutations and asymptomatic transmission. However, widespread use of current public health interventions can control COVID-19 with minimal disruption.
The COVID-19 Variant Immunologic Landscape (COVAIL) trial aims to understand the immune responses to various additional COVID-19 booster shots and prototype vaccines. The study is being conducted to inform booster shot recommendations and protect against future variants.
A new study introduces a commercially available test that enables laboratories with real-time PCR capabilities to detect known SARS-CoV-2 variants. The assay is faster and more cost-effective than traditional sequencing methods, allowing for more widespread tracking of circulating variants.
A Johns Hopkins-led study published in New England Journal of Medicine found that convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can effectively treat outpatients, with a 54% reduced need for hospitalization. The therapy's effectiveness increases with earlier administration within five days after diagnosis.
Research reveals that interleukin-13 (IL-13) plays a crucial role in protecting cells against SARS-CoV-2, explaining why people with allergic asthma are less susceptible to severe COVID. The study found that IL-13 upregulates genes controlling glycoprotein synthesis and antiviral processes, reducing viral entry and replication.
Researchers found that prior infection with common human coronaviruses does not provide immunity against SARS-CoV-2 due to limited cross-reactive antibodies. This suggests no significant adverse effects from antibody-dependent enhancement, reducing the risk of COVID-19 complications.
The VIGICOVID system uses deep neural architectures to answer natural language questions about COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. Researchers have developed a prototype that provides good results and can be easily scaled up for marketability.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2's spike protein is more stable and has a higher energy barrier for activation, allowing it to evade the human immune response. This difference in binding behavior contributes to its increased transmissibility and infectivity.
Researchers at Temple University found that individuals with prior COVID-19 infection experienced rapid antibody production after the first vaccine dose, but showed little increase after the second dose. This contrasts with those without a history of infection, who exhibited massive responses after the second dose.
Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-born biochemist, received the 2022 Vilcek Prize for Excellence in Biotechnology for her decades-long research leading to the development of safe and effective mRNA vaccines. Her work has had a profound impact on culture and society, particularly in the fight against COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a decline in ischemic stroke presentations and treatments in Alberta, with more out-of-hospital stroke deaths. Researchers attribute the decrease to hospital avoidance during the pandemic.
Researchers have developed a new compound that prevents and treats COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant in mice. The compound, N-0385, blocks entry at the cell surface without causing detectable cell damage.
A multicenter study found mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 N protein associated with increased viral loads and severe disease symptoms. The changes enabled the virus to hijack host cell translation machinery, leading to a life-threatening cytokine storm.
Researchers detect Sars-CoV-2 mRNA in human retina organoids, indicating infection of retinal cells. The virus also replicates in these cell types, with implications for 'Long Covid' pathologies.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed a novel strategy to identify potent miniature antibodies, so-called nanobodies, against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. The approach led to the discovery of multiple nanobodies that effectively blocked infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Researchers found that patients infected with the Alpha variant experienced different neurological and emotional symptoms compared to those infected with the original form of SARS-CoV-2. The study suggests that different COVID-19 variants may give rise to distinct long COVID symptoms.
Researchers found that people who had COVID-19 and then got vaccinated generated an immune response more specific to fighting viral infections, producing a broader antibody response. This hybrid immunity also produced a cellular immune response called Th1 response, which is antiviral.
A large-scale registry study found no association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and increased risk of preterm birth, growth retardation, or neonatal care. Vaccination was associated with a slightly lower risk of neonatal care and provided protection against COVID-19 for the newborn.
Researchers discovered that mice infected with tuberculosis are resistant to developing COVID-19, suggesting a potential protective effect against the virus. The findings may explain why double infections of both diseases are rare in humans and contribute to the high rates of infection for each disease individually.
Researchers at Yale have identified a remdesivir-resistant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an immunocompromised patient. The discovery raises concerns about drug resistance in COVID-19 patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems.
Researchers found that sulforaphane inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 coronaviruses in cells and mice, reducing viral burden by up to 50%. Sulforaphane also helps control immune response and protects against lung injury.
Researchers found that infants and toddlers had significantly higher levels of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 compared to adults. Children under 4 years old had the highest levels of RBD and neutralizing antibodies, indicating a strong immune response.
A booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine significantly increases antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, reversing a drop in immunity after two doses. In subjects given CoronaVac or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, the booster raised immunity by a factor of 25 and 7, respectively.
Research in the Journal of Hepatology suggests that COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to cause liver injury, but liver transplant patients may experience delayed care due to the pandemic. The study found that vaccinated patients with liver disease had a lower antibody response compared to healthy patients.
Genetic testing of saliva samples has been shown to be more quick and sensitive than nasal swab testing for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus, with implications for improving public acceptance of COVID-19 testing and reducing healthcare worker risks
BGE-175 effectively prevents death in a mouse model of COVID-19 by reversing immune aging, suggesting its potential to protect elderly patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The drug restores the immune system to a more youthful state by blocking the PGD2-DP1 pathway.
A study assessed SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing accuracy among asymptomatic individuals in workplaces. Repeated testing was found to increase detection of COVID-19 cases, but also led to more false positives and decreased sensitivity.
Children who contract both corona and RS virus have a higher risk of hospitalization than those with corona alone. The study found that the proportion of serious illness among children with both viruses was lower than for those with corona, suggesting an advantage to contracting both viruses.
A study of 181 long COVID patients found that seven in ten experience concentration and memory problems, with many performing worse than their peers on cognitive tests. Cognitive symptoms were more pronounced in people whose overall ongoing symptoms were more severe.